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From the 7th century onwards, men and women of different faiths and cultures built on knowledge from ancient civilisations making breakthroughs that have left their mark on our world. Arab, Persian, Indian, Turkish, North African, Spanish, Sicilian and other nationalities and cultures formed this large area of Muslim Civilisation that included men and woman scholars of Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sabean, Hindu and other faiths.
Knowledge from Assyrian, Babylonian, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Persian and Roman civilisations was highly prized in the Muslim Civilisation. Scholars advanced science by building upon ancient wisdom, making breakthroughs that have had a huge but mostly unknown influence on our world.
From astronomical discoveries in the vast sky to navigating and exploring the deep blue seas to fascinating observations of the rich diversity of the animal kingdom to innovations in medicine and ingenious machinery — DISCOVER more about these exciting topics and more from the golden age of Muslim Civilisation through these feature stories!
The Rise of an Industry: Papermaking
Paper, originally, was brought from China into Muslim Civilisation. From an art, Muslim Civilisation developed it into a major industry. Paper mills flourished across the Muslim World. The impact of Muslim Civilisations manufacture of paper helped paved the way for the printing revolution.
Is this the most beautiful mosque in the world? Mosque of Whirling Colours
Stunning colours light up the Nasīr al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran. In this International Year of Light, photographer Mohammad Reza Domiri Ganji captures what on the outside looks like a conventional mosque...
The House of Wisdom: Baghdad’s Intellectual Powerhouse
Image © 1001 inventions House of Wisdom Sketch Arabic Version (بيت الحكمة) The heyday of Baghdad was 1,200 years ago...
Rise of Glass Industry in Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation
From Ibn Al-Haytam’s optical lenses to a mosque lamp of Amir Qawsun, Muslim Civilisation played a major role in inspiring the growth of the glass industry. Mosques, houses and cities were transformed into centres of rich decoration with glass. Muslim Civilisation turned a craft into an industry, employing large numbers of workers.
Al Maqamat: Beautifully Illustrated Arabic Literary Tradition
Maqamat Al-Hariri are frequently referenced on beautiful pictorial illustrations showcasing aspects of life from the Golden Age of Muslim civilisation. But what were the Maqamat?
Eye witness accounts of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the wonders of the Ancient World
The Lighthouse of Alexandria is one of the wonders of the Ancient World. It was still a great tourist attraction well into the medieval period, and was visited by many travellers to the city that were impressed by its magnitude.
Star-Finders Astrolabes
Over a thousand-year period in Muslim Civilisation, epoch-making discoveries such as the first record of a star system outside our own galaxy were made, and astronomical instruments were developed laying the foundation for modern-day astronomy. These included celestial globes, armillary spheres, sextants and astrolabes.
Rediscovering a Lost History – Radio Interview with Glen Cooper
Professor Glen Cooper discusses the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation. During the European Dark Ages, when science, art and literature seemed to flounder for centuries, there actually was a lot of discover in places like Iraq, Persia and Syria. Professor Cooper explains how science of medicine, mathematics and astronomy flourished.
5 Amazing Mechanical Devices from Muslim Civilisation
Fully automated environmentally friendly water raising devices, pumps, windmills and more! Discover some of the most facinating devices from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation that brought creative innovative ideas helping to drive agriculture and industries from southern Spain to China.
The Islamic Roots of Modern Pharmacy by David W Tschanz
Along the road from sympathetic magic and shamanism to scientific method, much trailblazing was carried out over a few centuries by scholars, alchemists, physicians and polymaths of the Muslim Middle East, and their rules, procedures and expectations are, to a great extent, practiced almost universally today.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Vikings And Muslim Civilisation
Last year news regarding the discovery of a ring found on a Viking woman with the inscription 'To Allah' erupted in the media. Some named it the “mysterious ring”, some actively debated and made up theories of how or why it arrived in Sweden. It is worth noting however that this was not the only contact documented between the Viking and Muslim Civilisation.
Top Five Mega Cities on the Silk Road
The historic Silk Roads, which were a network of trade routes across land and sea that connected the lands from China across Asia to the Meditteranean,
When the World Spoke Arabic
At the height of the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation, the Arabic language was the lingua franca that served as the language of science, poetry, literature, governance and art. A big movement of translation of Greek, Roman and other ancient books of science, philosophy and literature into Arabic gave a push for the continued success of Arabic taking centre stage of the old world.
Top 10 Google Doodles’ for Muslim Civilisation
A Google Doodle is a special, temporary alteration of the logo on Google's homepages that commemorate holidays, events, achievements, and people. Some of the people featured are prominent figures from Muslim Civilisation from scientists to scholars, travelers to other social figures.
Top 5 Mega Cities on the Silk Road
Throughout history, trade routes played a central role in the transfer of goods and exchange of ideas between different parts of the world. The historic Silk Roads, which were a network of trade routes across land and sea that connected the lands from China across Asia to the Meditteranean...
Al-Jahiz’s Book of Animals: The transcendent value of disgust
Jeannie Miller is making a big impact with a new perspective on some very old prose.